FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2024
Contact:
Laura Millard Ross
lauramr@mlpp.org
(517) 281-1084
New report shows that asylum seekers and immigrants contribute millions of dollars to Michigan’s economy
Report underscores the need to better support and welcome these newcomers here in the Great Lakes State
LANSING—Today, the Immigrant Research Initiative (IRI) co-released a report with the Michigan League for Public Policy that projects the expected wages, economic growth, and state and local tax contributions from asylum seekers and newly arriving immigrants in Michigan.
The Michigan report, Economic Projections for Asylum Seekers and New Immigrants, is one of several state-level reports that accompany a national report by the IRI showing that immigrants in the United States contribute millions of dollars in state and local taxes.
“The current arrival of immigrants to the United States has certainly shown us the challenges that come with managing thousands of new residents at a time. Demographic trends, however, tell us that these challenges are largely temporary. From the moment immigrants start working in the United States, they show a tremendous capacity for upward mobility and economic success,” said Anthony Capote, senior policy analyst at Immigration Research Initiative and co-author of the national report and Michigan’s state report.
Here in Michigan, the IRI model projects that for each 1,000 newly arrived immigrant workers, the aggregate wages paid is $22 million in the first year of arrival, resulting in direct economic benefits at both the local and state level. These far-reaching benefits include the value of the work that is produced in the regions in which these new residents are employed, the added local spending power within their communities and an estimated increase of approximately $1.6 million in local and state taxes per 1,000 workers just in the first year.
After about five years, as higher wages are earned and more workers move into full-time jobs, aggregate wages are likely to increase to about $35 million according to the IRI model, resulting in a projected $2.5 million in local and state tax revenue per 1,000 workers.
“History has shown us that immigrants do experience upward economic mobility over time as they get their footing in the economy, but it’s critical that we better support these newcomers–both immigrants and asylum seekers–with state policy changes that will help them navigate barriers to employment, transportation, housing, language access and other basic necessities that are essential to making ends meet,” said Monique Stanton, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy. “This is especially critical given Michigan’s alarming population challenges and the fact that immigration has emerged as a key driver in both current and future population growth here in our state.”
“Welcoming and better supporting immigrants and asylum seekers not only closely aligns with a recommendation of the Growing Michigan Together Council and is key to our state’s growth, it’s also the right thing to do from a humanitarian standpoint,” said Simon Marshall-Shah, senior policy analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy. “And creating an immigrant-inclusive economy benefits all of us. The sooner that individuals and families are able to establish themselves here in Michigan, the sooner they can become a vital part of our labor force and integral, contributing members of our communities.”
According to Michigan’s report, new immigrants arriving in the state can expect to earn a median annual wage of about $22,000, and if there are two wage earners in a family, the combined income would be about $44,000. While this is slightly above the federal poverty level, newly arriving immigrants will still have a hard time making ends meet. Once immigrants have been here about five years, their annual wages will likely increase to about $35,000 or $70,000 for a two-income household.
The Michigan report specifically points to the need to expedite work authorization for immigrants and asylum seekers, as they typically experience delays of six months or longer to gain work authorization as it stands today. Having access to legal services is critical in that process, which can be better facilitated with additional municipal and state funding that goes directly to entities providing legal aid and case management services.
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The Michigan League for Public Policy, www.mlpp.org, is a nonprofit policy institute focused on opportunity for all. Its mission is to use data to educate, advocate and fight for policy solutions that undo historic and systemic racial and economic inequities to lift up Michiganders who have been left out of prosperity. It is the only state-level organization that addresses poverty in a comprehensive way
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
